I am ashamed to say that I am a late bloomer regarding Roman Holiday. I have seen it mentioned consistently on lists of the best romantic comedies of all time, but for some reason, it wasn’t one I was overly eager to watch. Shame on me! When I finally saw it a few years ago, I kicked myself for waiting so long. I could see why people adored this film. It’s so wonderfully charming, romantic, and bittersweet. Everything about this movie is designed to put a big smile on your face, from the acting to the direction and music. It holds up against even the most acclaimed rom-coms of modern times and I struggled to find any major flaws when I reviewed it. For that reason, it deserves its label as a classic, and it deserves its spot here in our Canon!
That’s The Girl!
It’s hard to believe that Audrey Hepburn‘s portrayal of Princess Ann marked her first major film role. The way she managed to blend innocence and charm with emotional depth felt effortless, as if she had spent decades honing her craft. It isn’t easy to imagine anyone else in the role, but the truth is, the producers originally wanted Elizabeth Taylor! But once director William Wyler saw Hepburn’s screen test, he knew she was the one:
“She had everything I was looking for: charm, innocence, and talent. She also was very funny. She was absolutely enchanting, and we said, ‘That’s the girl!'”
So beguiling was Hepburn that Gregory Peck insisted she receive equal billing, even though his contract stated he would receive solo top billing. This may not seem like a big deal to us now, but back in the 1950s, it was unheard of. In fact, Peck told the producers that Hepburn was going to win an Oscar for her performance. And he was correct. Hepburn went on to win Best Actress at the 1953 Academy Awards. Thanks to her impressive performance in Roman Holiday, Hepburn went on to become a cinematic icon, starring in dozens of well-regarded films, including Sabrina, Charade, My Fair Lady, and, of course, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Chemistry and Fate
Despite Gregory Peck nailing the role of newsman Joe Bradley, Peck was not Wyler’s first choice! The producers wanted Cary Grant, but Grant turned down the role, explaining that he felt too old to be a romantic love interest for the twenty-three-year-old Audrey Hepburn – He remained sensitive to their age gap a decade later when, ironically, he and Hepburn were paired together in Charade – when Grant was 59 and Hepburn 33. The offer shifted to Peck, who admitted the role felt like it was written for Cary Grant, but that didn’t stop him from accepting.
And now, it isn’t easy to imagine anyone else in the role of Bradley, even the charismatic Cary Grant. Despite their own 13-year age difference, Peck and Hepburn exuded undeniable chemistry, which is not always a given no matter how big the names are. Audrey Hepburn may have won the Academy Award, but Peck, who was depressed over his impending divorce, won his own trophy – he fell in love with French journalist Veronique Passani en route to Italy to film Roman Holiday. Perhaps everything worked out just as it was meant to. Can you imagine Roman Holiday with Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant? Perhaps. But I think so much of its charm radiated from its eventual stars, and who knows what kind of movie it would have ended up being otherwise.
“I have to leave you now. I’m going to that corner there and turn. You must stay in the car and drive away. Promise not to watch me go beyond the corner. Just drive away and leave me as I leave you.” – Ann
Legacy
Roman Holiday movie helped define the careers of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Seventy-one years after its release, Roman Holiday still remains the blueprint for romantic comedies and romance movies in general. So rarely are modern rom-coms able to blend romance, adventure, humor, and depth as seamlessly as Roman Holiday did. You see its influence in movies such as Enchanted, Notting Hill, and yes, even The Lizzie Maguire Movie. It’s a gorgeous film, as funny as it is romantic, and appeals not only to the hardcore rom-com fan but to movie fans of all genres. Perhaps Gregory Peck is best known as Atticus Finch, and Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, but to me, they will always be Joe Bradley and Princess Ann.
What Roman Holiday Means to Me
The best romantic films are those where the characters genuinely like each other, and Roman Holiday exemplifies this. There’s no grand gesture or melodramatic twist—just a simple, pure connection between two people from different worlds. It effortlessly blends romance, comedy, and a gentle critique of societal norms that would still be talked about today if that was all it offered but this is the film not only introduced the world to the enchanting Audrey Hepburn but also showcased Gregory Peck’s impeccable charm. She had been in bit parts before and he had obviously been charming in other movies but this is the first and best showcase of their inherent abilities. She radiates a unique blend of grace, vulnerability, and playfulness. Her portrayal of Princess Ann is a delicate balance of regal poise and youthful curiosity. It’s a performance that earned her an Academy Award, and rightfully so. Hepburn’s expressive eyes and natural elegance make it impossible not to fall in love with her, much like the characters and audience do. Her ability to convey a range of emotions with such subtlety at so young of an age and with barely any experience is proof that she was a born star.
Gregory Peck, often associated with serious, stoic roles, shows a lighter, more relaxed side as Joe Bradley. His character is the perfect foil to Hepburn’s princess—grounded yet slightly jaded, charming but with an underlying sense of duty. The scene where he puts his hand into the Mouth of Truth, teasing Hepburn’s character, is a classic moment of cinematic spontaneity that perfectly captures the spirit of their evolving relationship. Their performances make you love them and their chemistry is what makes this an all-timer.
–Sailor Monsoon
Have you seen Roman Holiday? What did you think of the film? Do you have a fun fact or piece of trivia about the making of the film? Please share it in the comments below!
